Referee Controversy: Gasa's Calls In Sundowns Vs Chiefs Face Scrutiny

• Abdul Ebrahim backs match officials after a heated Sundowns vs Chiefs clash
• Referee Sikhumbuzo Gasa allowed Rayners' goal but disallowed Castillo's late strike, sparking debate
• Local fans are divided, with many calling for VAR while others defend the officials' decisions

Let me tell you something, folks. Local referee boss Abdul Ebrahim recently came out in support of match official Sikhumbuzo Gasa after Mamelodi Sundowns edged out Kaizer Chiefs 2-1. Now, the fans were not exactly happy with Gasa’s calls, but Ebrahim praised his work and said Gasa did a stellar job under intense pressure. It’s not always easy being a referee in such high-stakes matches, and Gasa faced his fair share of scrutiny, but Ebrahim is standing firm in his defense.

Now, listen up. Ebrahim, a former FIFA referee himself, emphasized that Gasa and his assistants performed admirably. He mentioned that their performance will be formally reviewed, which is standard protocol. But hey, let’s give credit where it’s due—these referees are out there making split-second decisions in a game where millions of eyes are watching. That’s no small feat.

During the match, the Chiefs players and management were visibly upset when Edson Castillo’s late goal was disallowed. Some folks even argued that Masandawana’s second goal came from an offside position. Now, I’m not here to pick sides, but let’s dive into what happened and why this match sparked so much debate.

Read also:

A Daughterrsquos Proud Moment Showcasing Her Dads Incredible Kitchen Renovation

Gasa’s Calls: Ebrahim’s Take

Abdul Ebrahim took to social media to share his thoughts on the match and the officiating. Here’s what he had to say:

According to KickOff, Ebrahim stood by Gasa, calling his performance excellent. He also addressed the ongoing discussion about VAR, following sports minister Gayton McKenzie’s push for the technology. Ebrahim explained:

“The referees did a fantastic job. After reviewing the match, we’ll get the full reports. If you take a look at the disallowed goal, I’m confident that VAR would have flagged it. But let’s be clear—VAR is still in the discussion phase. We’re working on it, but it’s not here yet.”

Fans Demand VAR

Social media blew up after the game, with local football fans expressing their frustrations. Many believe that VAR is the only way to improve refereeing standards in the PSL. Let’s hear from some of the fans who weighed in:

Loftus TR chimed in, saying:

“The only solution is VAR. These mistakes will keep happening if we don’t implement it. Every single PSL game seems to have refereeing errors. It’s time for change.”

Amukelani Khilla Golele, however, defended the referees:

“There’s nothing wrong with how the match was officiated. One missed offside call doesn’t make the whole performance terrible. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

Mpendulo Mashumi criticized the behavior of Chiefs fans:

Read also:

Tiktok Controversy A Womans Criticism Of Lace Front Wigs Sparks Debate

“The real issue here is the fans who threw objects at the match officials at the end of the game. That’s unacceptable. The league needs to act on that, not the refereeing calls.”

Setlaba Khafa agreed with the officials:

“The referees did a great job overall. Sure, there was a marginal offside call that went unnoticed, but that’s part of the game. The decision to disallow Chiefs’ goal was spot-on.”

A Bee Ncekana offered a possible solution:

“The quality of refereeing is declining, and it’s affecting the game. VAR is the answer. If we don’t implement it soon, our beautiful sport will continue to suffer.”

Kaizer Chiefs Coach Speaks Out

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi shared his thoughts on the match, revealing a candid moment with referee Sikhumbuzo Gasa. As reported by Briefly News, Nabi told Gasa that they didn’t need any gifts after their 2-1 defeat to Sundowns. During the match, which took place on Saturday, September 28, 2024, Nabi was clearly upset about Sundowns’ first goal, which some claimed was offside, and the disallowed equalizer late in the game.

Listen, this match was a rollercoaster of emotions. The tension was palpable, and both teams gave it their all. But at the end of the day, it’s about respecting the game and the officials, even if we don’t always agree with their calls. That’s what makes football so exciting—it’s unpredictable. Let’s hope the discussions around VAR move forward, so we can all enjoy the beautiful game even more.